Dual display over usb c on new MacBook 2016

Nev369 thank you for this solution it is working for me on a Macbook 2015. I get three monitors found the two Dells and the built-in one on the macbook showing in extended mode. But I can also switch to mirroring in "preferences" "display". Running 2 different dell 1080p monitors one to vga using a small dvi-to-vga adapter at the docking station and the other directly to the dvi connector on the docking station.

Only one issue is that the Macbook does not seem to be getting power and is running off the battery. Do you use another adapter for this that will allow power to pass-thru?

Thanks again you rock!

Hey Retna, glad to hear this was helpful for you!

I'm currently using the 2 thunderbolt ports on the right side of the laptop for the monitor dongles, leaving the two on the left side free, so I'm just powering up from the left side power port.

I have seen an adapterif you are using one of the macbooks that only has 1 port on each side that allows for you to use USB C passthrough for power, as well as HDMI and a couple other ports. That one's rated well and is fairly priced.

I ended up buying a USB-C (charge port) + USB3 to USB-C dongle / hub. MBP power runs to USB-C charge port on the hub/dongle. USB3 runs to my Lenovo hub, and the USB-C output plugs into my MBP.

It's pretty nice with a $14 vertical dock off of Amazon. One cable connection into the MBP for everything.

"CalDigit says a specific MST function called “MST hub” is not turned on in macOS, but believes Apple could enable it later. With Windows, the dock can drive two separate external displays on a capable Windows system."

I think the plot is a bit thicker because macOS WILL do MST when you use an Apple Cinema display. And in fact, if you daisy chain multiple non-Apple displays together but hang a thunderbolt device somewhere in the chain it WILL daisy chain as well!

As you say, the hardware works to daisy chain in Windows. Therefore I think macOS is checking to see if the connected display is an Apple Cinema display and/or legit thunderbolt device. If the check fails, the port is downgraded to DP 1.2 and you can only mirror the display. This theory helps explain why this MST issue has been present since they introduced Thunderbolt 2.0 in 2013. The hardware MUST be DP 1.3 for Windows and Apple displays to work. If you google you'll see people complaining about this issue ever since and perpetually hoping the latest OS will fix it. Bugs like this don't stick around for 4-5 years! There is a business decision behind it and I reckon its to sell Apple displays.

Everyone needs to clearly identify their Mac models. This is the forum area for the 12" Retina MacBook, but clearly most of you are talking about MacBook Pros.

The capabilities working with external monitors are quite different. And, the 12" MacBooks don't support Thunderbolt at all.

Yes, this works using a PC display link "dock." I got the cable and tried on a couple different display link devices at my office. The only downside is, my 2012 MacBook Retina doesn't charge when connected. But I was able to see 3 monitors, my 2 external and my Macbook. Just need to find solution for charging, like a usb-c hub or something.

How did you end up charging the computer with this setup? I assume power doesn't come through from the dock. I'm really interested in mimicking this setup.

Really nice to know it can all come through the USB3 in the splitter. Thanks for the help!